Passing Time

With the virus matching on, we’re still on Stay at Home here in Colorado, though they are transitioning to Safer At Home rules next week. My wife was getting stir crazy, leading us to take a drive to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge here in Colorado. A trip where we didn’t need to leave the car. The Arsenal was constructed by the U.S. Army in 1942 to develop chemical weapons as a deterrent against the Axis Powers. After extensive work to clean up the area, it’s now an 11-mile loop with a modern visitor center (though it was closed), where you drive and enjoy many wild animals running free. Managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service the land is home to more than 330 species of wildlife. Including raptors, deer, raccoons, coyotes, white pelicans, black-footed ferrets, black-tailed prairie dogs, and bison. On our drive, we saw deer and bison enjoying the warm weather of spring.

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If you enjoy birds they are out there as well. Here you’ll see burrowing owls and a meadowlark enjoying the sun on a signpost.

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With streaming entertainment being heavily used to pass the time, I thought I’d talk about the shows I’ve been enjoying. Each morning I get up at around 6 a.m to let the dog out and get my wife up for work. Once both are up and moving, I do my workout which normally lasts about 45 minutes while streaming on the TV. I recently went through the entire Seinfeld series, then moved onto the humorous detective series, Psych. I’m currently watching the American version of The Office. Humor for me makes exercising more enjoyable. It’s always fun to laugh when pushing my body to stay in shape.

In the evening after enjoying dinner, I’ve been watching the Amazon Prime show, Bosch. Based on the books by crime novelist Michael Connelly, it’s a gripping show to watch. If you enjoy gritty, police detective entertainment, you need to check this show out. It’s very much a procedural type of show, with sprinkles of action and violence. Titus Welliver plays Harry Bosch with a simmering calm, a man about to explode at any minute. Hated by other cops for his brutal honesty and by those he’s trying to catch for his fearless pursuit of justice, makes for an intelligent cop drama of the likes I’ve not seen in many years. Be sure to check it out if you have a chance.

Another pastime we’ve been enjoying at home is doing puzzles. Something we’ve not done in quite a while. A great recreation to keep the mind stimulated. Finding and connecting those pieces challenging, for many have only subtle differences. Each one a bigger test than the next. Here are two of the four we’ve already finished, with another started.

After my morning workout and before evening dinner, I’ve been spending my time writing. My newest book, The Divine Devils has gone off to my editor after rewrites spurn by my beta reader’s feedback. This process generally takes a couple of months to get the book polished and ready for release. I’m excited about this new book, written in a slightly darker tone than my Jarvis Mann PI books. Hunter Divine being a hard-nosed and tough former US Marshal. A womanizer and drinker with a past that haunts him. As a tease, you can check out the first chapter preview here. And I’ve added chapter two to read via this link. Be warned there is a little bit of adult content in the second chapter. I would love to hear what you think of both.

While I’m waiting for my editor to get back to me, I’ve begun the second book in The Divine Devils series. I’m still forming the direction of the plot, but I’ve written 22k worth of words which will take Hunter and his team to Reno Nevada and Lake Tahoe. As I continue to write I will be looking for Alpha Readers to get early feedback on the story. If you’re interested let me know.

I already have a cover designed for the new book, along with a logo for the series. I will be sharing the logo in next month’s newsletter. I plan on having t-shirts made with the logo and I’m even considering getting a tattoo with the logo added to my right arm. Once all the Stay at Home rules are relaxed.

In the meantime, you can still enjoy all of the Jarvis Mann PI books. The first short story, The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum Card, is free to download, and the rest in the series available to purchase on Amazon or can be read via Kindle Unlimited. And I do giveaway the first novel, Tracking A Shadow, as a free eBook for anyone who register’s for this newsletter. If you didn’t get this free book, send me an email and I’ll get it to you right away.

From time to time I get questions on the order of the Jarvis Mann series. Though the books don’t need to be read in order, it does help, since you see the evolution of the main character and others who return throughout the series. Here is the list of books in order.

If you’re interested in a signed paperback copy of any of the books, contact me via my email and we can work out the details.

In the last couple of days, I received a 5-Star review for The Case of the Invisible Souls via Readers Favorite. Here is the review:

Reviewed By Alyssa Elmore for Readers’ Favorite

A private investigator risks his life to find a group of missing homeless people in the holiday sleuth novella, The Case of The Invisible Souls (A Jarvis Mann Detective Novella) by R Weir. It’s a couple of weeks to Christmas and Jarvis Mann is eager for a new case. A knock at his door heralds an unusual visitor; a homeless veteran, Parker. Troubled by some strange activity going on within his community, Parker requests that Jarvis investigate the matter. According to the former soldier, the unusual circumstances began with some teens terrorizing the homeless in an old abandoned building where he temporarily lives. A few days later, a couple of men in a dark SUV visited, waving large sums of money around and offering a steady job to all those who came with them. Only, those who have gone with the men haven’t been seen or heard from since. As he operates within the homeless community, shelter, and churches, Jarvis prepares to go undercover in some of the most unrelenting conditions he’s yet experienced. Shortly, he finds himself embroiled in a sinister plot including a suspected mobster, hired assassin, and careless and uncooperative police. When Parker is attacked and left injured in a hospital, Jarvis must make a risky choice. Searching for Parker’s only friend that has since disappeared leads Jarvis to hit the snowy streets. Can Jarvis find the lost homeless? Or will he die trying?

The Case of The Invisible Souls by R Weir takes the reader into the cold underbelly of Denver, Colorado, exposing the disrespect, trials, and endless anxiety of those living on the streets, while keeping the story surprisingly upbeat. I enjoyed the noir-like feeling of this novella, finding the contrast of our troubled hero’s distaste of caffeine to be humorous – unlike most like most noir P.I.s who seem to have an obligation to remain liquored up. I appreciated how fleshed out the characters are, each with their unique traits and personalities that are sure to leave a lasting impression on the reader. With vibrant settings, a story that flows smoothly, and a diverse cast of characters, Mr. Weir expertly brings the story together, creating a dynamic short mystery. The tension is sure to draw the reader in from page one, holding their attention to a surprising conclusion that will be certain to leave them wondering what will happen in the next Jarvis Mann Detective Novella. This book will delight fans of whodunit and noir mysteries.

Thanks to Alyssa for this wonderful editorial review. If you haven’t already read this Jarvis Mann PI novella be certain to check it out.

There are more Prolific Works giveaways this month to check out. All including my free eBook short story, The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum Card.

Message In A Bottle is the first giveaway that runs until May 5th, with 73 free eBooks for you to check out via this link.

How To Raise A Reader giveaway runs until May 7th, with 48 free eBook for you to read via this link.

Mysteries Your Mother Never Told Me is still running until December 31st, with 62 free eBooks to look over via this link.

I will wrap up this month’s newsletter with a quick plug about my audiobook, The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum Card. I still have Audible US and UK codes for this book. If you’re interested send me an email and I’ll get the codes to you right away.

Thanks again for reading. I hope all of you are doing well and are staying healthy.